Thug who punched ex-partner in face in her Lincoln Green home after breaching restraining order is jailed at Leeds Crown Court

Gareth Dwyer verbally abused his terrified ex-partner before barging his way into her flat in the Lincoln green area, Leeds Crown Court was told.

Paul Nicholson, prosecuting, said: "He grabbed her by the throat and squeezed hard.

"She was scared for her life and felt as though she couldn't breathe."

the woman struggled with Dwyer, who punched her in the face and her nose started bleeding.

The attack happened at around 6.30pm on March 28, while the woman's two children were in the flat.

The court heard Dwyer is the father of one of her children.

Dwyer, 37, of no fixed abode, had been in a relationship with the woman for around four years, but it broke down due to his drinking problem.

He was made the subject of a restraining order last year which banned him from directly contacting the woman.

Mr Nicholson said the woman, who suffered bruising, told police: "It has left me feeling very scared for my life and my kids' lives. He shows no regard for the restraining order."

She wrote in a victim statement: " It has caused me a number of mental conditions, which I struggle with every day.

"I'm very anxious all of the time. My anxiety is very difficult to control. It has knocked my self confidence and self control. I struggle with depression."

She added in the statement: "I'm petrified that he will be released. He knows where I live and he has no respect for the conditions placed on him by the courts and police."

Dwyer admitted assault and breaching a restraining order.

He has 40 previous convictions for 79 offences including breaching a restraining order in 2015 and battery in connection with the same complainant in 2019.

Caroline Abraham, mitigating, said: "He has had issues surrounding alcohol misuse in his past, drinking on a daily basis to excess."

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC jailed Dwyer for 14 months and imposed a five-year restraining order.

Judge Marson told Dwyer: "It was, I have no doubt, a frightening experience and from her victim personal statement it is clear it had a profound psychological effect and it has caused her very great distress."